Compact valve actuation mechanism

Abstract

A valve actuation device. The device may include a free floating valve bridge movably supported within a cavity in the engine housing. The bridge may be provided with a cavity and an orifice arrangement for pumping gases entrained with lubricating fluid toward the piston stems as the bridge reciprocates back and forth. The device may also include a rocker arm that has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape for receiving at least a portion of the valve bridge, valve stem valve spring and spring retainer therein. The rocker arm may be provided with lubrication passages for directing lubrication to the point wherein it is pivotally affixed to the engine housing.

Description

Not applicable.1. Field of the InventionThe subject invention relates to actuation apparatuses and methods and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for actuating the intake or exhaust valves of a piston-driven internal combustion engine.2. Background of the InventionOver the years, perhaps due to declining fossil fuel reserves and the resulting increases in fuel prices, engine designers have been challenged to reduce the overall size and weight of vehicle engines while maximizing engine efficiency. It is axiomatic that by utilizing a small and lightweight engine, less space is required to accommodate the engine which can lead to a more compact vehicle design and improvements in fuel efficiency. Such considerations are particularly important when designing, for example, an engine to power an aircraft.Although the sizes and weights of the components of an engine are important, engine designers must also strive to minimize engine vibrations which can lead to premature failure...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Over the years, perhaps due to declining fossil fuel reserves and the resulting increases in fuel prices, engine designers have been challenged to reduce the overall size and weight of vehicle engines while maximizing engine efficiency.

Although the sizes and weights of the components of an engine are important, engine designers must also strive to minimize engine vibrations which can lead to premature failure of components and extensive engine maintenance.

Such height undesirably contributes to the overall height and weight of the engine.

While its does provide for a means to compensate for different valve stem heights, the use of adjusting screws undesirably add to the weight and overall cost of the engine.

Such close tolerance machining can lead to increased engine manufacturing costs.

Such a bridge, however, lacks a means for guiding the bridge in a direction that is parallel to the axes of the valve stems.

Thus, while such bridges are simpler in construction than the guided bridges, they offer no method of compensation for non-uniform valve stem heights caused by irregular amounts of friction between the valves and their respective valve guides.

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